Tank gauge

ABSTRACT

A tank storage measurement device. The tank storage measurement device includes a display screen. The tank storage measurement device is configured to display on the display screen an image of a storage tank. The tank storage measurement device is additionally configured to use the image of the storage tank to identify boundaries of the storage tank and identify a qualitative level of a substance in the storage tank. The tank storage measurement device is additionally configured to generate a quantitative representation of the level of the substance using the identified boundaries and identified qualitative level of the substance. The tank storage measurement device is additionally configured to display on the display screen the generated quantitative representation of the level of the substance.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 62/592,911 filed on Nov. 30, 2017 andentitled “INFRARED GAUGE,” which application is expressly incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND Background and Relevant Art

Storage of substances in tanks is ubiquitous. For example, storage tanksare used to store crude raw substances such as raw crude oil; fuel suchas gasoline, diesel, kerosene, ethanol, produced water, etc.; wastesubstances; etc. there is often a need to inspect the tanks to determinethe amount of substances in the tank. This is often a dangerous andcumbersome process. For example, often a tank inspector will need to donspecial apparel to prevent caustic or otherwise hazardous substance fromcontacting the inspector and/or the inspector's clothing. The inspectorwill then need to open the tank from the top and perform a visualinspection along with placing a probe, such as a dipstick or gauge tape,into the tank. At various times during this process, various riskfactors are encountered including asphyxiation, chemical burns, heatburns, poisoning, contamination, explosion ignition via staticelectricity, etc.

The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments thatsolve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such asthose described above. Rather, this background is only provided toillustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodimentsdescribed herein may be practiced.

BRIEF SUMMARY

On embodiment illustrated herein includes a tank storage measurementdevice. The tank storage measurement device includes a display screen.The tank storage measurement device is configured to display on thedisplay screen an image of a storage tank. The tank storage measurementdevice is additionally configured to use the image of the storage tankto identify boundaries of the storage tank and identify a qualitativelevel of a substance in the storage tank. The tank storage measurementdevice is additionally configured to generate a quantitativerepresentation of the level of the substance using the identifiedboundaries and identified qualitative level of the substance. The tankstorage measurement device is additionally configured to display on thedisplay screen the generated quantitative representation of the level ofthe substance.

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subj ect matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

Additional features and advantages will be set forth in the descriptionwhich follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or maybe learned by the practice of the teachings herein. Features andadvantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. Features of the present invention will become more fullyapparent from the following description and appended claims, or may belearned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features can be obtained, a more particular descriptionof the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered byreference to specific embodiments which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting inscope, embodiments will be described and explained with additionalspecificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a tank inspection system;

FIG. 2 illustrates a phone user interface;

FIG. 3A illustrates a tank size screen;

FIG. 3B illustrates another state of the tank size screen;

FIG. 4A illustrates an acquire photo screen;

FIG. 4B illustrates another state of the acquire photo screen;

FIG. 4C illustrates another state of the acquire photo screen;

FIG. 5A illustrates a define tank corners and level screen;

FIG. 5B illustrates another state of the define tank corners and levelscreen;

FIG. 6 illustrates a view results screen;

FIG. 7 illustrates an email results screen;

FIG. 8 illustrates an email app interface; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a method of measuring a method of performing storagetank measurements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments illustrated herein are directed to a tank inspectionsystem that allows an inspector to quickly and safely identify the levelof the tank without needing to physically and directly contact the tank,either themselves or with any equipment. Rather, by using images of thetank, a quantitative level of the tank can be quickly identified andpresented to the inspector in a new and novel user interface. Inparticular, the user interface can present to the inspector aquantitative tank level, such as a numeric value of the percent ofcapacity of the tank and/or a numeric value identifying the amount ofsubstance in the tank. In particular, previously an inspector might onlyhave a qualitative idea of the level of substance in the tank. Even if auser interface were able to display an image of the tank, such a userinterface did not display a quantitative level of the tank, but ratherwould have only been capable of displaying the qualitative level of thetank. For example, the inspector might have been able to qualitativelysay “the tank appears to be about half full.” However, using the uniqueand novel user interface illustrated herein, an image of the tank can beused to identify quantitatively a value so that, for example, theinspector would be able to see a numeric value of, for example, 43%.Alternatively, or additionally, the user interface may be able toidentify a quantity, such as for example 600 gallons.

Some embodiments illustrated herein are directed to a tank inspectionsystem 100 which includes an image acquisition system 102 that allowsthe tank inspection system 100 to acquire an image 104 of a tank 106.The image acquisition system 102 is able to acquire an image 104 thatshows a substance level in the tank 106. In some embodiments, the imageacquisition system 102 may include a camera 110.

For example, if the tank 106 is somewhat translucent, such as if thetank 106 is a polyethylene tank, often the image acquisition system 102can include a simple camera 110 that is able to detect coloring and/orshading differences between the portions of the tank 106 having asubstance in them and portions of the tank 106 not having the substancein them. For example, a liquid in a polyethylene tank will allow animage 104 to be acquired where the portions of the acquired image 104are darker for the lower half of the tank 106 having the liquid in thetank 106. The upper portions of the tank 106 not storing the liquid willappear lighter in the acquired image 104.

Alternatively, or additionally, some embodiments may use a thermalcamera 110 as part of the image acquisition system 102. A thermal camera110 can detect temperature differences and represent those temperaturedifferences in an acquired image 104. For example, a black-and-whitethermal image may show lower temperatures closer to black and highertemperatures closer to white along a grayscale. Alternatively, oradditionally, a color thermal image may represent various temperaturesat colors along a spectrum. A thermal image may be used to detect thelevel of a substance in a tank 106. For example, in some embodiments,the substance will be at a temperature that is cooler than thesurrounding air, and thus will appear at a lower temperature in athermal image acquired by an image acquisition system 102. However, itshould be appreciated, that in some circumstances the substance in thetank 106 will actually be warmer than surrounding air. Nonetheless, thiswill appear as a contrasting color or shade in a thermal image.

Note that various different types of cameras and camera arrangements maybe used in the image acquisition system 102. In some embodiments, thetank inspection system 100 may implement a tank storage measurementdevice by using a cellular telephone, portable computer, or othercomputing device. Often these devices include cameras integral to thedevice. This integral camera may be used in the image acquisition system102 to acquire the image 104 of the tank 106.

Alternatively, or additionally, other types of integral or selectivelyattachable cameras may be used. For example, in some embodiments, thetank inspection system 100 is implemented using a portable device suchas a cellular telephone, portable computer, or other computing device.This device may have functionality for connecting external cameras. Forexample, many devices include a USB port allowing a USB based camera tobe connected to the device. Alternatively, or additionally, if the tankinspection system 100 is implemented using devices available from AppleCorporation of Cupertino Calif., the lightning connection port on suchdevices may be used to connect external cameras. For example, in someembodiments, the Flir One Pro camera with a lightning connectoravailable from Flir System of Wilsonville Oreg., may be used byconnecting the device to an Apple device to implement the imageacquisition system 102.

In some embodiments, the camera 110 may be remote to other parts of thetank inspection system 100. For example, in some embodiments, the camera110 may be mounted to various vehicles and/or tools that are able toconnect through a communications network to the tank inspection system100. For example, in some embodiments, the camera 110 is mounted to aUAV such as a drone, where the drone can fly proximate the tank 106 toacquire images of the tank 106. Alternatively, or additionally, othertypes of vehicles such as various robots, manned or unmanned groundvehicles, or other vehicles can carry the camera 110, and includecommunications hardware allowing any images acquired by the camera 110to be transmitted to the tank inspection system 100 for later use.

Note that in some embodiments, the camera 110 may be statically placedproximate the tank 106 to allow for continuous monitoring of tank levelsand conditions.

Images may be acquired in other fashions. For example, in someembodiments, a user interface 112 may be presented to a user whichallows the user to upload a previously generated image. In particular,the user can interact with the user interface 112 to identify a file orother format of an image 104 of the tank 106. The image acquisitionsystem 102 in conjunction with the user interface 112 may be used toupload such images for use by the tank inspection system 100.

Embodiments may further include a boundary definition system 114 whichallows for the boundaries of the tank 106 in an acquired image 104 to bedefined. In some embodiments, this can be user assisted using agraphical user interface 112 that allows a user to assist the boundarydefinition system 114 in identifying boundaries of the tank 106. Inparticular, the novel graphical user interface 112 can display theacquired image 104 in the graphical user interface 112. Additionally,the graphical user interface 112 will present various user interfaceelements that allows a user to assist in identifying boundaries of thetank 106 in the image 104 displayed in the graphical user interface 112.Examples of these elements will be illustrated in more detail below. Thesolid arrow from the graphical user interface 112 to the boundarydefinition system 114 represents the user assisted input into theboundary definition system 114.

In alternative, or additional embodiments, automated systems may be ableto identify boundaries of the tank 106 from the acquired image 104 bydetecting various color and/or shading differences. The dotted arrowfrom the image acquisition system 102 to the boundary definition system114 illustrates an example where an image can be provided directly tothe boundary definition system 114, where the boundary definition system114 includes functionality for automatically identifying boundaries ofthe tank 106 in the acquired image 104. In particular, the boundarydefinition system 114 may include image recognition componentsconfigured to identify shapes, boundaries, specific items, or otherelements. These image recognition components can be used to identifytank boundaries in the acquired image 104. In some embodiments, theimage recognition components can be rule-based components that are ableto evaluate various rules and conditions to identify tank boundaries inthe acquired image 104. Alternatively, or additionally, the imagerecognition components may use artificial intelligence principles tofine-tune tank boundary identification.

Embodiments may further include a level identification system 116. Thelevel identification system 116 is able to identify the level ofsubstances in the tank 106 within the boundaries identified in theboundary definition system 114. In some embodiments, the levelidentification system 116 uses the contrasting colors or shades from theacquired image 104 to identify the level of substance in the tank 106.

In some embodiments, the level identification system 116 may be userassisted allowing a user to interact with a novel graphical userinterface 112 displaying the acquired image 104 along with various userinterface elements to identify the level of the substance in the tank106. Examples of such user interface elements will be illustrated inmore detail below. The solid arrow from the graphical user interface 112to the level identification system 116 represents the user assistedinput into the level identification system 116.

In alternative or additional embodiments, automated systems may be ableto identify the tank 106 level by examining the acquired image 104 todetect various color and/or shading differences. The dotted arrow fromthe image acquisition system 102 to the level identification system 116illustrates an example where an image can be provided directly to thelevel identification system 116, where the level identification system116 includes functionality for automatically identifying a level ofsubstance in the tank 106 in the acquired image 104. In particular, thelevel identification system 116 may include image recognition componentsconfigured to identify shapes, boundaries, specific items, or otherelements. These image recognition components can be used to identifytank levels in the acquired image 104. In some embodiments, the imagerecognition components can be rule-based components that are able toevaluate various rules and conditions to identify tank levels in theacquired image 104. Alternatively, or additionally, the imagerecognition components may use artificial intelligence principles tofine-tune tank level identification.

Note that the level identification system 116 typically identifies aqualitative level. In particular, the level identification system 116does not necessarily quantitatively identify the level of the tank 106,but rather identifies a qualitative level with respect to the boundariesof the tank 106 identified.

Some embodiments may further include a tank capacity identificationsystem 118. The tank capacity identification system 118 identifies thecapacity of the tank 106. In some embodiments, the novel graphical userinterface 112 may include user input elements to facilitateidentification of a tank capacity. In some embodiments, this can beaccomplished by providing to the user in the graphical user interface112, a selection of various commonly sized tank capacities. A user thencan select from among these pre-populated and pre-provided choices toassist the tank capacity identification system 118 in identifying thecapacity of the tank 106. Examples will be illustrated below of thisfunctionality.

In alternative or additional embodiments, the tank capacityidentification system 118 can provide user interface elements that allowa user to manually input tank size dimensions. This allows for tankcapacities to be used that are non-standard sizes and/or not included inthe enumerated tank capacities. Examples will be illustrated below ofthis functionality.

The solid arrow from the graphical user interface 112 to the tankcapacity identification system 118 represents the user assisted inputinto the tank capacity identification system 118.

In alternative, or additional embodiments, the tank capacityidentification system 118 may be able to measure and determine the tankcapacity automatically. The dotted arrow from the image acquisitionsystem 102 to the tank capacity identification system 118 illustrates anexample where an image can be provided directly to the tank capacityidentification system 118, where the tank capacity identification system118 includes functionality for automatically identifying a capacity ofthe tank 106 in the acquired image 104.

For example, using LiDAR, augmented reality (AR) or other measurementtools, embodiments can estimate the size of the tank 106, and capacitythereof

In some embodiments, ARKit available from Apple Corporation of CupertinoCalif. can be used to automatically identify tank capacities. Inparticular, the functionality available in ARKit, including the planedetection functionality, and measurement functionality can be used aspart of the tank capacity identification system 118 to automatically (orwith limited user assistance) measure tank capacity of the tank 106.

Embodiments further include a quantitative level determination system120. This particular element of the tank inspection system 100 is ableto identify a quantitative level with respect to the boundaries of thetank 106 identified by the boundary definition system 114, andpotentially the capacity of the tank identified by the tank capacityidentification system 118. The quantitative level determination system120 identifies a quantitative value, such as a numeric value, definingthe level of the tank 106 previously identified qualitatively. Forexample, using the boundaries of the tank 106, and the qualitative levelof the tank 106, the quantitative level determination system 120 may beable to identify a numeric percentage of the level of the tank 106. Forexample, the quantitative level determination system 120 may be able toidentify that the tank 106 is 15% of capacity.

In some embodiments, using the tank 106 capacity identified from thetank 106 capacity identification system, some embodiments may be able toidentify a numeric value of the amount of substance in the tank 106.

FIG. 1 illustrates that the quantitative level determination system 120receives inputs from the boundary definition system 114, the levelidentification system 116, and/or the tank capacity identificationsystem 118. Using this information, the quantitative level determinationsystem 120 can identify a quantitative level for the level of thesubstance in the tank 106. In particular, using various geometriccomputations, the quantitative level determination system can assignquantitative level values, such as numbers to the level indicated in theacquired image 104.

FIG. 1 further illustrates that the quantitative level determinationsystem 120 is coupled to the user interface 112 such that thequantitative level determination system 120 can provide the quantitativevalues determined to the user interface 112. This allows the userinterface 112 to display the quantitative values to the user, in someembodiments together with the acquired image 104. This provides newfunctionality in a new and improved user interface 112 in thatquantitative values, that were previously not available in userinterfaces, can now be provided to the user. In particular, previously,at best a user would have been able to see a qualitative representationof level but would not have been provided with the quantitativerepresentation of the level of the tank 106 in the user interface 112.Embodiments allow a user to more quickly access tank level data inelectronic devices, improving the speed of a user's navigation throughvarious views to identify tank levels.

FIG. 1 further illustrates a level sharing system 122. The level sharingsystem 122 allows the quantitative level to be shared with otherentities. As illustrated by the solid arrow from the user interface 112to the level sharing system 122, in some embodiments a user can use theuser interface 112 to share the quantitative level determined by thequantitative level determination system 120. For example, the userinterface 112 may provide functionality to connect to an email system,data upload service, or other entity as a result of user inputindicating that such actions should occur. The user can input emailaddresses, server addresses, or other endpoints into the user interface112 allowing the user to specify where the quantitative level valuesshould be sent.

In alternative or additional embodiments, as illustrated by the dottedarrow between the quantitative level determination system 120 and thelevel sharing system 122, embodiments may automatically share the valuesidentified by the quantitative level determination system 120 otherentities. In some embodiments, the user can use the user interface 112to specify automatic sharing endpoints. The level sharing system 122will then automatically share any quantitative level values to thoseendpoints when the results are received from the quantitative leveldetermination system 120.

The level sharing system 122 may include certain network hardware orother components that allows the values obtained from the quantitativelevel determination system 120 to be shared with other remote entities.For example, in some embodiments, the level sharing system 122 may beconfigured to share values to a centralized service that maintainsinformation about tank levels across a plurality of different tanks.

The following illustrates how one embodiment may be implemented using amobile device, such as a smart cellular phone, and an app. Inparticular, the following illustrates a new and unique user interface,along with various user interactions with the user interface. Forexample, the following includes various images and descriptions of thetank measurement app, including a description of how to navigate and usethe tank measurement app. FIG. 2 illustrates a phone user interface 200on a phone with an icon 202 for the tank measurement app.

A user launches the tank measurement app by clicking or selecting thetank measurement app icon 202. Once the app is opened the user will seethe tank measurement app user interface 204, as illustrated in FIG. 3A.In some embodiments, the user will see the “Select Tank Size” screen 206of the user interface 204. In this screen, the user can interact withvarious user interface elements, such as radio buttons as shown or otherelements, or by direct interaction with size input elements, to selectif the user wishes to use nominal tank sizes, such as those commonlyused in the Oil and Gas industry, or to enter a specific height,diameter and/or BBL/inch. For example, the screen 206 shows a nominalsection 208 and a manual input section 210.

The user can select the nominal section 208 by selecting the radiobutton 212 (or other interface element as appropriate) or by simplyinteracting with input elements of the nominal section 208. For example,the user could select the drop-down interface 214. Selecting thedrop-down interface causes the list element 216 to be displayed. Thelist interface 216 allows a user to scroll through the pre-populated,common tank sizes. For example, in the current example, the tank sizesinclude:

-   90 BBL Nominal Capacity—10′×7′11″—3,780 gallon-   100 BBL Nominal Capacity—8′×9′6″—4,200 gallon-   150 BBL Nominal Capacity—12′×9′6″—6,300 gallon-   200 BBL Nominal Capacity—10′×12′—8,400 gallon-   210 BBL Nominal Capacity—15′×10′—8,820 gallon-   250 BBL Nominal Capacity—15′×11′—10,500 gallon-   300 BBL Nominal Capacity—15′×12′—12,600 gallon-   400 BBL Nominal Capacity—20′×12′—16,800 gallon-   500 BBL Nominal Capacity—25′×12′—21,000 gallon-   500 BBL Nominal Capacity—16′×15′6″—21,000 gallon-   750 BBL Nominal Capacity—24′×15′6″—31,500 gallon

Alternatively, a user could select the radio button 212 for manual entryof a tank size. Alternatively, the user could simply begin enteringdimensions into the text input boxes provided. In particular, either ofthese actions, or other appropriate actions would activate the manualinput section 210 of the “Select Tank Size” screen 206 of the userinterface 204. Here a user could manually enter height, diameter, andBBL/inch value.

Note that the BBL/inch is barrels per inch and is a common measuringunit used in oil and gas tank gauging.

Once the user makes their selection with respect to tank size, asillustrated in FIG. 3B, the user can click on the next button 220 (orother appropriate interface element, such as swiping the screen 206 tothe left, tilting the phone or other device, or other action) to go tothe next screen (i.e., the Acquire Photo Screen 222) as illustrated inFIGS. 4A and 4C. Note that the Select Tank Size screen 206 may alsodisplay a reset button 224. In some embodiments, the reset button 224will appear once the user selection and or setting of tank size iscomplete. Selecting the reset button 224 resets the selections in theSelect Tank Size screen 206, which will allow the user to start over inselecting a tank size.

Note that the Select Tank Size screen 206 (and other screens of the userinterface 204 include, at the bottom of the screen, four dots 226. Thisinterface element shows the user where the user is at in the progressionof the four main screens of the user interface 204. In the exampleshown, the first dot is darker than the remaining three dots indicatingthat the user in the first major screen of the four screens of the userinterface 204.

Clicking the next button 220 (in the illustrated example) causes theCapture Photo screen 222 of the user interface 204 to be displayed.Three different potential Capture Photo screen 222 variants may bedisplayed in the embodiment illustrated. For example, in one aspect, ifa camera is not available, the Capture Photo screen 222 of the userinterface 204 illustrated in FIG. 4A will be displayed indicating thatthe user should connect and/or enable a camera. If the user connects acamera after seeing this version of the screen 222, then the screen 222will display an image as illustrated in FIG. 4B. As noted previously, insome embodiments, the camera is a FLIR One Pro thermal camera availablefrom FLIR System of Wilsonville, Oreg., although other cameras can beused. Notably, depending on tank types, a thermal camera may not beneeded, such as for example when the tank is a polyethylene tank.

The version of the screen 222 illustrated in FIG. 4B includes an element223 that allows the app to acquire an image for use in determiningquantitative tank level. In particular, the user will be able to tap theelement 223 to take an image of a tank. Once the user has taken theimage of the tank, the user will have the options to retake the image bytapping again, press the reset button to go back to the beginning, pressthe previous button 226 to go to the previous screen 206, or press thenext button to continue on. In some embodiments, the app directlyinterfaces with the camera's SDK file to capture the image.

Note that in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 4C, the CapturePhoto screen may include an upload image interface element 228. Thiselement allows a user to facilitate acquiring an image from an imagestorage source. For example, this screen may allow the app to obtain animage from memory or mass storage on the phone (or other device). Theimage could have been previously taken by the device, downloaded fromanother source, or otherwise obtained. Note that in some embodiments,the screen 222 includes interface elements to allow the app to contact aremote service, such as a web service or other service, to obtain animage.

Once the user presses the next button, the “Define Tank Corners andLevel” screen 230 shown in FIG. 5A will appear. Here the user can use anacquired image to define tank boundaries. In the example illustrated, auser aligns four boundary marker elements 232-1 through 232-4 (which inthis case are displayed as cross-hair elements) with the corners of theimage of the tank.

As illustrated the example shown in FIG. 5B, when touching (or otherwiseproviding user input at) a boundary marker element 232-1, the boundarymarker element 232-1 will magnify a portion of the image proximate theboundary marker element 232-1 and be offset from where the user's fingeris touching the screen. This will assist the user in finding the cornerof the tank in the image and to align a definition point 234-1 to thatcorner.

Note that while the embodiment illustrated here shows user assisteddetermination of tank corners (i.e., tank boundaries), some embodimentsmay use automated boundary determination. For example, various imageanalysis functions may be automatically performed to identify shadingand/or other differences to automatically adjust the boundarydetermination, rather than relying on user input. Note that in someembodiments, automated functionality may be used, but the user may begiven an opportunity to fine tune the automated determination ofboundaries. In some embodiments, when the user provides additional finetuning, this input may be used by a machine learning system to modifythe automated boundary determination systems to make those systems moreaccurate in future automated boundary determinations.

Once the user aligns all of the corners of the image of the tank todefinition points, the user will then align the substance level lineusing a level interface element 236 to where the qualitative level isseen in the image. The level interface element 236, in the exampleillustrated, will give a quantitative live, automatically adjusting,readout of at least one of the height of the substance in the tank, thepercent fill of the tank, and/or the volume of the substance in the tankas the user interacts with the level interface element 236 by moving theline up and down. This provides a new and unique interface to the userthat allows the user to instantly access information that would havepreviously been unavailable to the user by simply viewing an image ofthe tank. In particular, the user interface 204 provides quantitativeanalysis of the tank using a qualitative image. Previously, thisinformation would not have been instantly available to the user.

Note that while the embodiment illustrated here shows user assisteddetermination of qualitative level, some embodiments may use automatedqualitative level determination. For example, various image analysisfunctions may be automatically performed to identify shading and/orother differences to automatically adjust the qualitative leveldetermination, rather than relying on user input. Note that in someembodiments, automated functionality may be used, but the user may begiven an opportunity to fine tune the automated determination ofqualitative level. In some embodiments, when the user providesadditional fine tuning, this input may be used by a machine learningsystem to modify the automated qualitative level determination systemsto make those systems more accurate in future automated qualitativelevel determinations.

Again, the user can press the reset button 224 and start over from thebeginning, press the previous button 226 to take them to the previousscreen.

The app will then use various geometric functions to calculate thevolume in the tank, which can then be displayed in a screen of the userinterface 204, such as the ‘View Results’ screen 238 shown in FIG. 6that is rendered when the user presses the next button 220 in the screen230. Again, the unique user interface nearly instantly, and in an easilyaccessible fashion, provides information and details that were notpreviously available in other systems and user interfaces.

In this screen 238, the user can see the capacity of the tank with animage of the tank and its level in the image that was taken. The userwill also be able to see what the substance volume of the tank is inheight (measured in feet and inches in the example illustrated), percentfill of the tank, the number of barrels, and the number of gallons. Nowthe user can choose to reset by pressing the reset button 224, go to theprevious screen 230 by pressing the previous button or email the resultsby pressing the email button 240.

Once the user selects the email option by pressing the email button 240,an ‘Email Results’ interface element 242 is rendered as illustrated inFIG. 7. Here the user enters the desired site name (e.g., the site ofthe tank in the image) and the email address the user wants to send theresults to. The user will then press the launch email app button 244.This will take the user into the default email app (or provide aselection of an app) of the user's email account as illustrated in FIG.8. The site name will appear in the subject, the desired email will bein the To box and the users default email will be in the CC/Bcc box. Insome instances, a corresponding logo and website for the tankmeasurement app will also be in the email along with a screen shot ofthe “View Results” screen.

Note that while email is illustrated here, it should be appreciated thatother sharing methods may be implemented, alternatively or additionally.For example, in some embodiments, the user may be provided with FTP,cloud service interfaces, or other interfaces to allow the user toupload the results to a result storage and/or processing service. Insome embodiments, the results may be automatically shared via email orother sharing service without additional user specification. Forexample, the screen in FIG. 6 may include a sharing button that whenselected automatically sends the results to a pre-specified endpoint.

The following discussion now refers to a number of methods and methodacts that may be performed. Although the method acts may be discussed ina certain order or illustrated in a flow chart as occurring in aparticular order, no particular ordering is required unless specificallystated, or required because an act is dependent on another act beingcompleted prior to the act being performed.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a method 900 is illustrated. The method 900includes acts for safely performing storage tank measurements using atank storage measurement device. The method includes obtaining an imageof a tank at the tank storage measurement device (act 902). For example,an image may be captured using a thermal or other camera. Alternatively,an image may be downloaded and/or uploaded.

The method 900 further includes identifying boundaries of the tank inthe image at the tank storage measurement device (act 904). This may beperformed with manual assistance at the tank storage measurement device,automatically by the tank storage measurement device, or in otherappropriate fashions.

The method 900 further includes based on differences represented in theimage, identifying a qualitative level for a substance in the tank atthe tank storage measurement device (act 906).

The method 900 further includes based on the boundaries of the tank inthe image and the identified qualitative level for a substance in thetank, generating a quantitative representation of the level of thesubstance using the identified boundaries and identified qualitativelevel of the substance (act 908).

The method 900 further includes displaying on a display screen of thetank storage measurement device the generated quantitativerepresentation of the level of the substance in the tank (act 910).

The method 900 may be practiced where obtaining an image comprisestaking a thermal image, and wherein differences represented in the imagecomprise temperature differences represented in the image.

The method 900 may further include identifying a size of the tank. Forexample, in some embodiments, identifying the size of the tank includesreceiving user input at the display screen for the size of the tank. Insome embodiments identifying the size of the tank comprises usingaugmented reality at the tank storage measurement device to measure thesize of the tank.

The method 900 may be practiced where identifying boundaries of the tankin the image at the tank storage measurement device comprises receivinguser input at the display screen moving boundary marker elements tocorners of the tank in the image of the tank. Some such embodiments mayfurther include magnifying portions of the image proximate the userinput at the display screen.

The method 900 may be practiced where displaying on a display screen ofthe tank storage measurement device the generated quantitativerepresentation of the level of the substance in the tank comprisesdisplaying on the display screen a live, an automatically adjustingreadout of at least one of a height of the substance in the tank, apercent fill of the tank, or a volume of the substance in the tank asthe user interacts with a level interface element.

The disclosed equipment, including unique and novel interfaces, allowstank gaugers to acquire infrared images or other images of tanks andthen allows them to gauge the tank. This eliminates exposure to harmfulfumes, ignition sources, (including static electricity), the need forself-grounding, and the risks associated with climbing stairs in allweather conditions. In this regard, the disclosed application interfacescan be used to help keep tank gaugers safe and provide a more efficientway of tank gauging.

In some embodiments, the disclosed infrared gauge application interfacesallows a user to input tank data sizes (height, diameter, barrels perinch (bbl/in)) or to choose from a variety of nominal tank sizes used inindustry. The user is then able to acquire an image using an infraredcamera (or other camera) or other source, then using an application withspecialized user interface elements, put markers or indicators atspecific points on the tank image; on the top and bottom corners of eachside of the tank as well as lining up the liquid level—the applicationthen computes the volume of a substance in the tank and the user canthen email a screenshot of the substance volume, site location, as wellas the infrared image.

In some alternative embodiments, the tank measurement app is configuredwith software for enabling the application to do the following:

-   Find the tank and tank level automatically-   Upload infrared images from auxiliary cameras and devices (e.g.,    drones, phones, and so forth) in order to gauge tanks-   Find substance volume for many types/sizes of tanks and    differentiate between different types of substances in the tanks    (e.g., oil and water)-   Share the app and results on social media sites-   Store locations (names, tanks numbers and names, other customer    desired information)    -   this will aid in location services and the app will        automatically bring up what well site a user is at as well as        the tanks on that site    -   the user will also have the ability to trend historical data    -   access historical data (including tank images) for an        account/tank based on user account data stored remotely and        according to user specific contract plans via web site access-   Interface with producers' tank data programs (EVIN, FieldLink, etc.)    to automatically upload tank level and volume information along with    respective dates and times.

Embodiments of the application can be used on a phone device, a phablet,a tablet, a laptop, or other computing device. It will be appreciatedthat the foregoing embodiments may be practiced by a computer systemhaving stored computer-executable instructions that, when executed byone or more processors of the computing system, cause various functionsto be performed by the computing system, such as the acts recited in thedisclosed methods.

Embodiments of the present invention may comprise or utilize aspecial-purpose or general-purpose computer including computer hardware,as discussed in greater detail below, as well as physical and othercomputer-readable media for carrying or storing computer-executableinstructions and/or data structures. Such computer-readable media can beany available media that can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial-purpose computer system. Computer-readable media that storecomputer-executable instructions are physical storage media.Computer-readable media that carry computer-executable instructions aretransmission media. Thus, by way of example, and not limitation,embodiments of the invention can comprise at least two distinctlydifferent kinds of computer-readable media: physical computer-readablestorage media and transmission computer-readable media.

Physical computer-readable storage media includes RAM, ROM, EEPROM,CD-ROM or other optical disk storage (such as CDs, DVDs, etc.), magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other mediumwhich can be used to store desired program code means in the form ofcomputer-executable instructions or data structures and which can beaccessed by a general purpose or special-purpose computer.

A network, which may include network connections is defined as one ormore data links that enable the transport of electronic data betweencomputer systems and/or modules and/or other electronic devices. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a computer, the computer properly views theconnection as a transmission medium. Transmissions media can include anetwork and/or data links which can be used to carry desired programcode means in the form of computer-executable instructions or datastructures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial-purpose computer. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of computer-readable media.

Further, upon reaching various computer system components, program codemeans in the form of computer-executable instructions or data structurescan be transferred automatically from transmission computer-readablemedia to physical computer-readable storage media (or vice versa). Forexample, computer-executable instructions or data structures receivedover a network or data link can be buffered in RAM within a networkinterface module (e.g., a “NIC”), and then eventually transferred tocomputer system RAM and/or to less volatile computer-readable physicalstorage media at a computer system. Thus, computer-readable physicalstorage media can be included in computer system components that also(or even primarily) utilize transmission media.

Computer-executable instructions comprise, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer,or special-purpose processing device to perform a certain function orgroup of functions. The computer-executable instructions may be, forexample, binaries, intermediate format instructions such as assemblylanguage, or even source code. Although the subject matter has beendescribed in language specific to structural features and/ormethodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matterdefined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to thedescribed features or acts described above. Rather, the describedfeatures and acts are disclosed as example forms of implementing theclaims.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may bepracticed in network computing environments with many types of computersystem configurations, including, personal computers, desktop computers,laptop computers, message processors, hand-held devices, multi-processorsystems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics,network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, mobile telephones,PDAs, pagers, routers, switches, and the like. The invention may also bepracticed in distributed system environments where local and remotecomputer systems, which are linked (either by hardwired data links,wireless data links, or by a combination of hardwired and wireless datalinks) through a network, both perform tasks. In a distributed systemenvironment, program modules may be located in both local and remotememory storage devices.

Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can beperformed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components.For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardwarelogic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays(FPGAs), Program-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Program-specificStandard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), ComplexProgrammable Logic Devices (CPLDs), etc.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or characteristics. The described embodimentsare to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and notrestrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by theappended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changeswhich come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims areto be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A tank storage measurement device comprising: adisplay screen, the tank storage measurement device being configured todisplay on the display screen an image of a storage tank, wherein thetank storage measurement device is additionally configured to use theimage of the storage tank to identify boundaries of the storage tank andidentify a qualitative level of a substance in the storage tank; whereinthe tank storage measurement device is additionally configured togenerate a quantitative representation of the level of the substanceusing the identified boundaries and identified qualitative level of thesubstance; and wherein the tank storage measurement device isadditionally configured to display on the display screen the generatedquantitative representation of the level of the substance.
 2. The tankstorage measurement device of claim 1, wherein the quantitativerepresentation of the level of the substance comprises a numericalrepresentation of at least one of a level of the tank as a percentage oftank capacity or a volume of the substance in the tank.
 3. The tankstorage measurement device of claim 1, wherein the tank storagemeasurement device is further configured to identify a capacity of tank.4. The tank storage measurement device of claim 3, wherein the tankstorage measurement device is configured to identify the capacity of thetank using LiDAR or AR measurements.
 5. The tank storage measurementdevice of claim 3, wherein the tank storage measurement device isconfigured to identify the capacity of the tank by user input.
 6. Thetank storage measurement device of claim 1, wherein the tank storagemeasurement device is configured to identify the boundaries of thestorage tank by graphical user input at user adjustable boundary markerelements displayed on the display screen.
 7. The tank storagemeasurement device of claim 6, wherein the tank storage measurementdevice is configured to magnify a portion of the image of the storagetank proximate an adjustable boundary marker element when the userprovides input at the boundary marker element.
 8. The tank storagemeasurement device of claim 1, wherein the tank storage measurementdevice is configured to identify the qualitative level of the substancein the storage tank by graphical user input at a level interfaceelement.
 9. The tank storage measurement device of claim 8, wherein thetank storage measurement device is configured to display on the displayscreen a live, automatically adjusting, readout of at least one of aheight of the substance in the tank, a percent fill of the tank, or avolume of the substance in the tank as the user interacts with the levelinterface element.
 10. A method of safely performing storage tankmeasurements using a tank storage measurement device, the methodcomprising: obtaining an image of a tank at the tank storage measurementdevice; identifying boundaries of the tank in the image at the tankstorage measurement device; based on differences represented in theimage, identifying a qualitative level for a substance in the tank atthe tank storage measurement device; based on the boundaries of the tankin the image and the identified qualitative level for a substance in thetank, generating a quantitative representation of the level of thesubstance using the identified boundaries and identified qualitativelevel of the substance; and displaying on a display screen of the tankstorage measurement device the generated quantitative representation ofthe level of the substance in the tank.
 11. The method of claim 10,wherein obtaining an image comprises taking a thermal image, and whereindifferences represented in the image comprise temperatures differencesrepresented in the image.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprisingidentifying a size of the tank.
 13. The method of claim 12, whereinidentifying the size of the tank comprises receiving user input at thedisplay screen for the size of the tank.
 14. The method of claim 12,wherein identifying the size of the tank comprises using augmentedreality at the tank storage measurement device to measure the size ofthe tank.
 15. The method of claim 10, wherein identifying boundaries ofthe tank in the image at the tank storage measurement device comprisesreceiving user input at the display screen moving boundary markerelements to corners of the tank in the image of the tank.
 16. The methodof claim 15, further comprising magnifying portions of the imageproximate the user input at the display screen.
 17. The method of claim10, wherein displaying on a display screen of the tank storagemeasurement device the generated quantitative representation of thelevel of the substance in the tank comprises displaying on the displayscreen a live, automatically adjusting readout of at least one of aheight of the substance in the tank, a percent fill of the tank, or avolume of the substance in the tank as the user interacts with a levelinterface element.
 18. A tank storage measurement device comprising: oneor more processors; and one or more computer-readable media havingstored thereon instructions that are executable by the one or moreprocessors to configure the computer system to measure tank storage,including instructions that are executable to configure the computersystem to perform at least the following: obtain an image of a tank atthe tank storage measurement device; identify boundaries of the tank inthe image at the tank storage measurement device; based on differencesrepresented in the image, identify a qualitative level for a substancein the tank at the tank storage measurement device; based on theboundaries of the tank in the image and the identified qualitative levelfor a substance in the tank, generate a quantitative representation ofthe level of the substance using the identified boundaries andidentified qualitative level of the substance; and display on a displayscreen of the tank storage measurement device the generated quantitativerepresentation of the level of the substance in the tank.
 19. The tankstorage measurement device of claim 18, wherein obtaining an imagecomprises taking a thermal image, and wherein differences represented inthe image comprise temperatures differences represented in the image.20. The tank storage measurement device of claim 18, wherein displayingon a display screen of the tank storage measurement device the generatedquantitative representation of the level of the substance in the tankcomprises displaying on the display screen a live, automaticallyadjusting readout of at least one of a height of the substance in thetank, a percent fill of the tank, or a volume of the substance in thetank as the user interacts with a level interface element.